Isn't it because if you're older and have had multiple partners already, you've probably already been exposed to many of them? I know that's what they used to say but has that changed?
That is what the CDC says... older people have been exposed to enough HPV already that vaccines are not necessary.
But it doesn't really make sense. There are many different varieties of HPV... gardasil 9 only protects against 9 of them I believe, but it tries to get a few of the most dangerous. Have they really tested the immunity of older people to all 9 of those varieties? I doubt it.
Also, people live many different kinds of lifestyles before their 50s. If they were serious about that, they would suggest that people opt-in based on their past history.